Geneva Water Treatment Facility, Illinois

What is it? An 8MGD (30,280m3/d) RO membrane softening facility located in the City of Geneva, Illinois. The plant was commissioned in May 2008.

Who is responsible? Project consultant Black & Veatch designed the facility. Severn Trent supplied the RO equipment, while Dow Filmtec supplied the membranes. Williams Brothers acted as general contractor.

Why is it shortlisted?

• When new regulations made it imperative to reduce radium concentrations in the local aquifer, the City of Geneva opted to build a new treatment plant that not only removes over 97% of the radium, but also provides softened water for its residents. The new plant successfully addresses the challenge of treating feedwater from two different sources, and Black & Veatch's design incorporates separate pretreatment systems for the two feedwater streams, thus minimising the project cost.

• The choice of a membrane solution over a conventional lime softening method offers enhanced potential in meeting future regulatory requirements, and anticipates future expansion by initially occupying a smaller land parcel. It also neatly avoids the need to store and dispose of lime compounds.

• The plant sets the architectural standard by which all rural water treatment plants should be judged. The 16.2 hectare site is home to several historic barns, and the external features of the facility were designed to blend into the community's agricultural setting. The plant itself is surrounded by a park, wetlands, a greenway and a bike trail.